CONTROLS Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

controls 1 of 2

noun

plural of control

as in controllers

a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

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Relevance

as in hands

the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

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as in operations

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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as in powers

the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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controls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of control

as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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as in contains

to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

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as in rules

to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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as in operates

to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of controls

Noun

Four Regulators, Four Different Markets The difficulty is that the clock runs against a process no party controls. — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 And what remains is all blacked out, except for the lower rocker covers and pushrod tubes – from the fork covers, the controls, the handlebar, the turn signals, the headlight bucket, the engine, exhaust, and even the rear fender struts. — New Atlas, 25 July 2026 The company intentionally flew the vehicle through challenging re-entry conditions to collect data on its thermal protection system, flight controls, and structural performance. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 There’s basically no text and only a few onscreen prompts to explain controls. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 25 July 2026 The wonky physics can't be too wonky, because janky controls can go from amusing to annoying pretty quickly. — Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026 Reduce smoking through measures such as tobacco price controls, raising the minimum age of purchase, and smoke-free policies. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

Verb

The five-member HOA board controls the building; all officers are in the Airbnb business. — Joan Chrissos, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026 Whenever a single jurisdiction controls a dominant share of processing or refining capacity, investors should assume that export control risk exists, even if markets are not currently pricing it in. — Anthony Milewski, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The company is developing a planar coil stellarator architecture designed to use arrays of mass-manufacturable magnets and software controls to produce fusion power. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026 But now the man who controls everything is totally out of control, waiting for his own biology to clear him for duty. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 July 2026 The East Coast company that controls the leases did not respond to a request for comment on the city’s statements about the lease situation. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026 The Democrat majority controls every aspect of what every individual, municipality and business does now. — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026 And Hamas—which ended the war with about twenty thousand fighters, some recruited and trained during the war—controls the remainder of Gaza. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Nvidia controls more than 95% of the data center GPU market, according to the Futurum Group. — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 20 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls

Noun

Flight controllers had to overcome initial communication and pointing problems with Link, beaming up software patches.

— Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 22 July 2026
This allows controllers to differentiate and prioritize planes in distress on radar screens.

— Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026

Definition of controllers

Noun

Homewood Suites Charlotte Uptown The restaurant received 86% on June 30, with violations including employees in need of food safety training and unwashed hands.

— Eva Flowe July 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
One robotic arm was even programmed to play Jenga, a game capable of exposing the shaky hands of many humans.

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

Senators are tasked with reviewing laws passed more than a decade ago that exempt certain data centers from paying sales taxes on goods that are essential to their operations.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
Props to new president of basketball operations in Mike Gansey, who was not only able to pry the 2024 NBA Finals MVP from a hated rival, but also had the roster in a good enough position to land one of the greatest players in history.

— Rob Peterson, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of operations

Noun

These muni bonds need to be bought, so the powers-that-be will make phone calls to their contacts in Bondland to buy up these 6% coupons.

— Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
In recent years, the exercise has grown to include scenarios that focus on competition with other major military powers.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

Definition of powers

Verb

This department oversees and regulates restaurants across Sacramento County, conducting food inspections and issuing food permits.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
The Department of Agriculture, which regulates poultry and most red meats, has lost about ten per cent of its food-safety-and-inspection team.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 July 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

The language of the ethics rules bans public officials from using their name, image, likeness or official position for digital assets.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
The avenue lies within the city’s original historic district, where preservation rules tightly regulate new construction and alterations.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

Now, the non-profit operates with around 40 full-time employees, 60 partner organizations and 130 corner stores with a Kanbe’s Market inside.

— Zuri Primos July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
The System Determines Where Effort Goes Every sales team operates inside a structure that determines where effort actually flows.

— Jeff Winters, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026